When JJ Watt was a free agent in 2021 some Steeler fans were fantasizing that He might join his brother TJ and Derek in Pittsburgh.
That seemed like a pipe dream at the time, but the now retired three-time Defensive Player of the Year says he considered Pittsburgh before signing with the Arizona Cardinals.
“They were on the list,” Watt said on the Green Light Podcast with Chris Long.
Watt added he didn’t want to make the contract negotiations with his brother T.J. more difficult.
“It certainly would have been awesome to play with my brothers, but T.J. was also going through the contract situation there, so the last thing I wanted to do was come in and take any money away from his contract.”
TJ signed a then-record four-year $112 million contract with a $35.5 million signing bonus and $80 million guaranteed.
JJ signed a two-year deal with the Cardinals. He ended up making $29 million over two seasons.
Injured for half the season in 2021, Watt finished the 2022 season with 12.5 sacks and 39 tackles over 16 games.
Watt did pretty well for himself in 2021, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award and 22.5 sacks, tying a season record.
Watt was hurt in the first game of the 2022 season and was limited starting in 10 games with 5.5 sacks.